Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his priorities are for the acquisition of defence equipment over the next two years.
Answered by Philip Dunne
The Strategic Defence and Security Review provided clarity of the Government’s defence equipment priorities not just for the next two years, but for the rest of this Parliament. We have committed to an additional £12 billion for the Equipment Plan to £178 billion over the next 10 years. This includes finalising investment proposals for the next stage of the Successor nuclear deterrent programme and the procurement of a new fleet of nine Boeing P8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, as we build towards Joint Force 2025.
Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to paragraph 113 of the Government's Counter-Extremism Strategy, published in October 2015, what definition her Department uses of extremism; and what steps she is taking to ensure that that definition does not close down debate or limit free speech.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Government definition of extremism is 'vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.' We have been consistent on this since 2011 and have reaffirmed this definition in the Counter-Extremism Strategy.
The overwhelming majority of people in this country support these values and condemn those who try to undermine them.
The Government would not consider the ‘claim’ that an individual’s religion is ‘the only one true faith’ to be extremist.
We are clear that Government should not restrict anyone’s freedom of speech or right to practise a faith. These are core values that help to make our country great. However we shouldn’t allow the extremist voice to go unchallenged, causing harm to our society and promoting hatred and division.
The Government has engaged on the strategy, and will continue to engage with partners - including faith groups, communities and civic society groups on the new proposed powers to tackle the most dangerous extremists. This provides an opportunity to consult on the proposed powers further, and ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect our rights to free speech and debate.
Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Government's Counter-Extremism Strategy, published in October 2015, what her definition is of non-violent expressions of religious belief which are (a) extreme and (b) not extreme.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Government definition of extremism is 'vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.' We have been consistent on this since 2011 and have reaffirmed this definition in the Counter-Extremism Strategy.
The overwhelming majority of people in this country support these values and condemn those who try to undermine them.
The Government would not consider the ‘claim’ that an individual’s religion is ‘the only one true faith’ to be extremist.
We are clear that Government should not restrict anyone’s freedom of speech or right to practise a faith. These are core values that help to make our country great. However we shouldn’t allow the extremist voice to go unchallenged, causing harm to our society and promoting hatred and division.
The Government has engaged on the strategy, and will continue to engage with partners - including faith groups, communities and civic society groups on the new proposed powers to tackle the most dangerous extremists. This provides an opportunity to consult on the proposed powers further, and ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect our rights to free speech and debate.
Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Government's Counter-Extremism Strategy, published in October 2015, what constitutes non-violent extremism.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Government definition of extremism is 'vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.' We have been consistent on this since 2011 and have reaffirmed this definition in the Counter-Extremism Strategy.
The overwhelming majority of people in this country support these values and condemn those who try to undermine them.
The Government would not consider the ‘claim’ that an individual’s religion is ‘the only one true faith’ to be extremist.
We are clear that Government should not restrict anyone’s freedom of speech or right to practise a faith. These are core values that help to make our country great. However we shouldn’t allow the extremist voice to go unchallenged, causing harm to our society and promoting hatred and division.
The Government has engaged on the strategy, and will continue to engage with partners - including faith groups, communities and civic society groups on the new proposed powers to tackle the most dangerous extremists. This provides an opportunity to consult on the proposed powers further, and ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect our rights to free speech and debate.
Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Government's Counter-Extremism Strategy, published in October 2015, what plans the Government has to consult with faith groups on its definition of extremism.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Government definition of extremism is 'vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.' We have been consistent on this since 2011 and have reaffirmed this definition in the Counter-Extremism Strategy.
The overwhelming majority of people in this country support these values and condemn those who try to undermine them.
The Government would not consider the ‘claim’ that an individual’s religion is ‘the only one true faith’ to be extremist.
We are clear that Government should not restrict anyone’s freedom of speech or right to practise a faith. These are core values that help to make our country great. However we shouldn’t allow the extremist voice to go unchallenged, causing harm to our society and promoting hatred and division.
The Government has engaged on the strategy, and will continue to engage with partners - including faith groups, communities and civic society groups on the new proposed powers to tackle the most dangerous extremists. This provides an opportunity to consult on the proposed powers further, and ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect our rights to free speech and debate.
Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Government's Counter-Extremism Strategy, published in October 2015, whether a religious group or individual which claims that their religion is the only one true faith is included in its definition of extremism.
Answered by Karen Bradley
The Government definition of extremism is 'vocal or active opposition to our fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.' We have been consistent on this since 2011 and have reaffirmed this definition in the Counter-Extremism Strategy.
The overwhelming majority of people in this country support these values and condemn those who try to undermine them.
The Government would not consider the ‘claim’ that an individual’s religion is ‘the only one true faith’ to be extremist.
We are clear that Government should not restrict anyone’s freedom of speech or right to practise a faith. These are core values that help to make our country great. However we shouldn’t allow the extremist voice to go unchallenged, causing harm to our society and promoting hatred and division.
The Government has engaged on the strategy, and will continue to engage with partners - including faith groups, communities and civic society groups on the new proposed powers to tackle the most dangerous extremists. This provides an opportunity to consult on the proposed powers further, and ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to protect our rights to free speech and debate.
Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether Monitor plans to create a new maternity tariff for multiple pregnancies which more closely meets the costs associated with delivering the best practice care pathways outlined by NICE and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Ben Gummer
Monitor and NHS England are working with providers on a bottom-up costing exercise for maternity services.Returns are due in mid-November and analysis over the following couple of months will help to ensure that the tariffs are improved to more closely reflect the costs of service delivery. This will help inform prices for 2017/18.
Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether he plans for his Department's Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development Fund to be used to support efforts to reduce still births and neonatal deaths in multiple pregnancies.
Answered by Ben Gummer
There are no specific plans for the Innovation, Excellence and Strategic Development (IESD) fund to support efforts to reduce still births and neonatal deaths in multiple pregnancies. The IESD fund provides for funding for voluntary sector projects that are able to demonstrate a clear focus on supporting and driving forward new ideas, excellence or the undertaking of strategic developments in voluntary sector capacity and capability in health and care.
The fund does not have a particular focus on reducing still births and neonatal deaths in multiple pregnancies, but aims to support projects with the potential to have national significance in any area of health and care, particularly where statutory services can be complemented and high quality health and care outcomes achieved.
Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his Department plans to report publicly on the progress it has achieved using accelerated payment notices.
Answered by David Gauke
With regards to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff training on Accelerated Payments Notices, I would refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to a written question on 26 February 2015 (HC Deb, 26 February 2015, cW).
The number of HMRC officials currently engaged in dealing with Accelerated Payments Notices is 270Full Time Equivalents.
With regards to HMRC’s plans to report the progress on Accelerated Payments, I would refer the hon. member to my answer of 10 February (HC Deb, 10 February 2015, cW)
Asked by: Gerald Howarth (Conservative - Aldershot)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many officials in his Department are engaged in dealing with accelerated payment notices.
Answered by David Gauke
With regards to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) staff training on Accelerated Payments Notices, I would refer the hon. member to the answer I gave to a written question on 26 February 2015 (HC Deb, 26 February 2015, cW).
The number of HMRC officials currently engaged in dealing with Accelerated Payments Notices is 270Full Time Equivalents.
With regards to HMRC’s plans to report the progress on Accelerated Payments, I would refer the hon. member to my answer of 10 February (HC Deb, 10 February 2015, cW)